Artificial Intelligence in Contemporary Dental Diagnostics and Clinical Informatics: Clinical Applications, Challenges, and Economic Implications

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology in modern healthcare, offering new opportunities for improving diagnostic accuracy, clinical decision-making, and healthcare management. Dentistry, a discipline that relies heavily on visual interpretation of radiographic images and structured clinical data, has become an ideal domain for the integration of AI-driven technologies. Machine learning and deep learning algorithms are increasingly capable of identifying complex patterns within dental imaging datasets, enabling early detection of oral diseases and assisting clinicians in treatment planning. Recent developments in dental informatics have demonstrated the ability of AI systems to detect dental caries, periodontal bone loss, periapical pathology, and oral malignancies with diagnostic accuracy approaching that of experienced clinicians. In addition, artificial intelligence is being integrated into orthodontic planning, implantology, and clinical decision support systems to improve workflow efficiency and enhance precision in treatment planning. This review explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in dental healthcare from a clinician-centered perspective. The article summarizes the major AI models currently used in dentistry, discusses their diagnostic applications in early disease detection, and compares AI-assisted decision-making with conventional clinician-based evaluation. Key challenges associated with AI implementation—including data quality limitations, ethical concerns, regulatory issues, and infrastructure requirements—are also examined. Furthermore, the economic implications of AI adoption in dentistry are analyzed with emphasis on cost-effectiveness and preventive healthcare benefits. Although artificial intelligence offers significant potential to enhance dental diagnostics and improve patient outcomes, it is unlikely to replace the clinical expertise of dental professionals. Instead, AI should be viewed as a complementary tool capable of augmenting clinician judgment and supporting evidence-based decision-making. With appropriate validation, regulatory oversight, and interdisciplinary collaboration, artificial intelligence may play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital dentistry and personalized oral healthcare.